For generations, Scouting has transformed the lives of thousands of youth right here in Southeast Indiana. Scouting is made possible through the generosity of volunteers, families, members of our community and companies who all believe that a strong foundation of character and leadership developed in youth, leads to stronger more productive lives.
There are many ways that you can participate in this campaign, either as a fundraising volunteer, by making a gift to our Friends of Scouting and by being an ambassador of Scouting using your network, both personal and on your social media accounts. Every dollar raised stays right here in Southeast Indiana to support the youth in our own communities.
We hope that you will find something that not only excites you but also gives you an opportunity to give back to a program that has shaped the lives of great leaders for well over a century. We need your help in Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow, Today!
Friends of Scouting is the Hoosier Trails Council’s annual campaign for individuals and companies to make a 100% tax-deductible gift to support Scouting programs. The Hoosier Trails Council will invest over $175 in each of our over 3,000 youth in this year alone. By making an investment in this campaign you are supporting families who are in need of financial assistance in order to participate, five year-round facilities including two camping properties and the Council Scout Center, and an infrastructure designed to support over 1,500 adult volunteers who bring Scouting to life. Friends of Scouting is the most cost-effective way to support Scouting programs.
Matching Gifts: Many corporations match employee contributions made to Scouting America. Some companies even make financial contributions for volunteering time to Scouting, check with your employer to see if your time and contribution could be matched!
Just like most non-profit organizations, Hoosier Trails Council relies on the generosity of supporters to continue to provide valuable resources to its adult and youth members.
Each year, Hoosier Trails Council gives area youth the opportunity to better themselves as individuals and as citizens. Without your help, many young people will miss out on the opportunities that are available only through Scouting.
Our Vice President of Membership, Jerry Hill, explains how you can leverage IRA distributions to fund scouting. Click on the play button below.
These plates can be used as standard vehicle registration plates for passenger cars, recreational vehicles and trucks weighing less than 11,000 pounds. This is not a vanity plate, so special numbers or messages cannot be accommodated. Your plate selection is good until your next registration renewal. When you purchase an Indiana Scouting America license plate, you indicate your personal support of Scouting and add financially to the Hoosier Trails Council Endowment.
How can you participate? When you renew your plates, an additional fee is added on to your basic renewal fees, and that money is contributed to the Hoosier Trails Council endowment fund.
Renew Plates Online: Currently, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers Online Registration for your vehicle. Once you create an account, you can choose your specialized license plate. It’s fast, easy and best of all – no standing in line!
PHILANTHROPY is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights.
Popcorn sales are a major source of support for the Hoosier Trails Council. Annually our Scouts sell more than $800,000 of product to fund their Scouting adventures. More than 70% of the cost support Scouting and stays local. Please learn more about selling and buying popcorn through the annual Popcorn program!
The Hoosier Trails Council has set up an endowment which continually supports the Scouting activities on an annual basis. This endowment is a critical part of our financial support, and as the market fluctuates, so too does this source of funding. Additionally, we are fostering a Major Gifts Initiative to improve our properties and the programming we deliver.
CARS makes donating your car easy. We take care of everything from the pick-up and sale to sending you the donation receipt and necessary tax documents. CARS is committed to treating every vehicle donor with gratitude and great service while delivering the highest possible returns to our partners. To date, CARS has returned more than $450+ million to our nonprofit partners because of vehicles donors like you. Thank you! youth.
Presently, the Hoosier Trails Council is working towards fulfilling our Friends of Scouting need to fund our life-changing programs. Here are some ways that your family can support Scouting that you may not have thought of:
One way in which you and your family can help support the work of our council is through registration in the Kroger Community Rewards Program! By simply buying your family’s groceries, you can help contribute to our council’s overall success. Sound easy enough? Get on board today, Support Scouting through Kroger 5-14-21.
The Hoosier Trails Council has launched a Major Gifts Initiative with emphasis on securing our fiscal future. Our goal is to raise $7.7 million via tax-deductible contributions to support these projects in order to improve our facilities. It is important to note that the funds raised through this effort will only be used for capital projects and their endowment, not for operations of the council.
The long-term success generated from this investment in the Hoosier Trails Council will:
Gifts to the Hoosier Trails Council are philanthropic investments in both our area youth and our local communities. Today, the Hoosier Trails Council serves more than 6,000 youth throughout south-central Indiana. To learn more, or take a VIP property tour, contact [email protected]
The Hoosier Trails Council has set up an endowment which continually supports the Scouting activities on an annual basis. This endowment is a critical part of our financial support, and as the market fluctuates, so too does this source of funding.
Learn more about supporting Scouting through an Endowment Gift.
You may honor someone who has positively affected your life or the lives of those around you. There are several memorial and honorary opportunities available. A gift to our memorial or tribute fund is a gift to our endowment. Click here for more information.
You may choose to list the Hoosier Trails Council as a beneficiary in your will or trust, and the legacy you leave behind will affect the lives of youth for many years.
Lance Like is a local attorney at law, and a friend to Scouting. Lance has agreed to work with Scouters to develop a simple Will. Reach out to Lance to make sure that your intentions are met in the future.
Please reach out to the Scout Executive to learn more about Planned Giving.
View the video below to learn of the benefits from gifting through traditional IRAs.
Are you looking for a meaningful way to recognize a fellow Scout? The James E. West Award is one of the most honored and sought after awards, recognizing a Scout for their service and accomplishments.
Named after the first Chief Scout Executive of Scouting America, it is a national recognition for those who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to the Hoosier Trails Council endowment fund. This money is kept in an interest-bearing account. The interest from this account is used in our yearly budget to support local Scouts.
In this way, your Eagle Scout is contributing back to this program, and supporting youth years after they have moved on. Because of this support, they can be assured the program will be there to support them.
To receive a James E. West Award – please pick up an official application at the Council Office, or contact us to have one sent to you.